There’s a hypnotic plant called Blue Lotus, which proves to be a repeatable experience, at least for some of the people who try it, including myself.

Its also a very attractive looking flower and was a sacred plant for ancient Egyptians. For them, it represented creation, because the flower opens at dawn, and closes at night. They used Blue Lotus, mixed into wine, both for parties and sacred rituals.

You can smoke it, you can make a tea, and for those methods it has an enjoyable flower taste. If you extract with alcohol, of some form, the taste is slightly bitter. You need 3-5 flowers, or about 5 grams worth for a tea or extraction.

Smoking is less effective than the other two methods, and the effects are much more subtle generally unless you also consume alcohol. I found it easy and effective to mix a tea, and then have a few drinks afterwards rather than fussing with soaking in alcohol.

When alcohol is thrown it the mix, there is at times a noticeable body buzz. The physical feeling is perhaps a bit like a mild opiate body effect. Its pleasant enough, when its there, which is more at the start. At the same time, there’s a hypnotic mental relaxation. This makes you content to sit doing nothing, thinking nothing, listening to music, watching TV, or the stars.

Simply, your mind is relaxed and more empty. For me, it makes the world seem slightly magical somehow, a sort of sense of appreciation. But perhaps that’s just the sense of mental calm you can get.

I certainly can see why it was so important to the Egyptians, and I consider it at least worth a try, if it sounds like your thing, keeping in mind its a pretty mild buzz. Its also a very nice ethnobotanical to have in your collection, for the cool background and peace inspiring appearance.